FOTO Bali Festival 2025 is officially underway at Nuanu Creative City in Desa Beraban, Kediri, Tabanan, on Saturday, July 26, 2025. This captivating photography exhibition showcases 32 selected works from 34 photographers hailing from 10 different countries, running until August 17, 2025, at Labirin Galeri.
Kelsang Dolma, the festival director, shared her excitement about the overwhelming response to this inaugural event, which far exceeded the organizers’ expectations. “We initially aimed for 100 participants, but we received registrations from 247 individuals across 29 countries. After careful curation, 32 incredible works from 10 nations were chosen,” she explained.
The exhibition features stunning pieces from photographers representing Indonesia, India, Brazil, Poland, Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Cambodia. It is divided into two concepts—indoor and outdoor—tailored to the unique content and visuals of each artist.
With a focus on life itself, this year’s festival is curated by the experienced duo Ng Swan Ti and Gatari Surya Kusuma. The curation process began in April 2025. According to Ng Swan Ti, the theme ‘Life’ invites photographers to express diverse perspectives on the everyday experiences surrounding them.
Among the standout works is a piece by Balinese photographer I Wayan Ade Saputra, who explores the theme ‘Cycle,’ highlighting the lives of locals in the midst of Bali’s tourism boom. He presents a photo calendar that intertwines with the offerings of Hindu worship, revealing aspects of life often overshadowed by tourism narratives. “Tourism often masks the daily realities of practicing Hindus in Bali, who balance their religious duties while coping with a rapidly evolving tourism landscape,” he noted.
CEO of Nuanu Creative City, Lev Kroll, envisions Labirin Galeri as a space fostering collaboration and connection among artists from all corners of the globe. “I hope Nuanu becomes a hub where international artists converge as one. Following this, we will host more art exhibitions,” said Lev Kroll.
In addition to the photography showcase, FOTO Bali Festival 2025 features a range of programs running until August 17, including perspective discussions, community programs, artist dialogues, workshops, and more.
